Kenley Jansen had 40 save chances, not 33, and had 7 blown saves (83%). Brandon League had 29 chances and blew 6 of them (79%). If you want to look at shutdowns/meltdowns, Jansen had 26/9 and League had 21/9. We all know Jansen is much better, it's just a matter of how long it takes League to suck. That team has spent enough money and set the expectations so high that he will not have a long leash, especially with such a dominant reliever waiting in the wings. As for Jansen's velocity, he averaged 94+ MPH in six different outings in 2012, which includes each of his final four appearances. Judging by that I'd say he was throwing just fine at the end of the season.

They might not have a long leash but they do have a leash. If League comes out and saves 85% of his games he will keep the job. He has to lose it, Jansen can't just outright steal it. Part of that is because of his injury concerns, some of it is the perceived notion that he didn't thrive as the closer and some of it is simply the cash given to League in the deal.

Skin Blues wrote:Kenley Jansen had 40 save chances, not 33, and had 7 blown saves (83%). Brandon League had 29 chances and blew 6 of them (79%). If you want to look at shutdowns/meltdowns, Jansen had 26/9 and League had 21/9. We all know Jansen is much better, it's just a matter of how long it takes League to suck. That team has spent enough money and set the expectations so high that he will not have a long leash, especially with such a dominant reliever waiting in the wings. As for Jansen's velocity, he averaged 94+ MPH in six different outings in 2012, which includes each of his final four appearances. Judging by that I'd say he was throwing just fine at the end of the season.

Where do you see that he had 40 save chances? He converted 25 saves and blew 7. I admit my math was off (32 opportunities; not 33).